When it comes to the NHL Draft, everyone pays attention to the first and second round picks. After all, that’s where, theoretically, the best players should be taken. Some Flyers first rounders become all-stars and fan favorites like: Eric Lindros, Bill Barber, Claude Giroux, and Brian Propp. Some first rounders become players that might not be great, but become stable team fixtures, like: Mel Bridgeman, Scott Laughton, Justin Williams, and Ron Sutter.
Others have had careers shortened by injuries that eliminated what could have been a promising career, like Nolan Patrick , Ryan Sittler, and Sam Morin. Then there are those players that are just straight up busts. Larry Wright, Mark Suzor, Mike Stothers, Darren Rumble, Bob Currier, and Maxime Ouellet.
When it comes to the NHL draft, sometimes you never know what is gonna happen. Some players pan out and others don’t. However, what can really help a team out is if you can strike gold in a late round pick. Most people expect a first, second, or sometimes even a third round selection to be a performer in the NHL.
Few people expect one who slips through the cracks into the fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh round to even make the club. And if you can find a strong contributor in a late round that can compliment a great first and second round pick, it makes things that much better.
The following are the best players the Flyers selected in rounds five through seven. Keep in mind, there were several drafts in earlier seasons, when the league was smaller, that had up to nine or even twelve rounds. Those will be considered as well.